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Description
Living in the 2nd Space Age, Greece has experienced unprecedented development in the field of Space Technologies in the pillar of Civil Society. Since 2014, more than 13 non-profit organizations, student and informal groups led by young people and dealing with space technologies have been operating or restarted operations. Through the rapid development of the ecosystem, the challenges are many, as it is still in its infancy. The most important challenges that these organizations face are the acquisition of know-how for the management and development of organizations, the strengthening of cooperation between them, the development of relationships of trust and cooperation between organizations and the industry, the strengthening of the perception that these organizations can enhance the development of the space sector in Greece, as well as the communication to the general public of the need to develop space technologies and their benefits for the country. The purpose of the project is to organize the 1st Conference of the New Generation of Space in Greece. In an effort to solve the aforementioned challenges, the conference will include 3 main actions and have a duration of three days. The first action will be an 8-hour Training Day in which a systematic approach will be implemented in order to empower the organizations with the tools they must develop in order to be sustainable, eg Business Plan and Fundraising Plan. The second action will be a Round Table Meeting in which we will aim to bring together for the first time the New Generation of Space as well as to collaboratively produce a document with the common vision and goals of the organizations. Finally, the third action will be a Networking Conference in which organizations will have the opportunity for the first time to present their work in front of the space industry and to network.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the following challenges faced by the emerging ecosystem of space technologies in Greece.
- Acquisition of Know-How: Many non-profit organizations and student-led groups lack expertise in organizational management and development. This deficit hinders their sustainability and growth.
- Strengthening Collaboration: Limited cooperation between organizations and insufficient trust-building with the space industry reduce opportunities for joint ventures and resource sharing.
- Public Awareness: Communicating the importance and benefits of space technologies to the general public and raising awareness and garnering support for the sector is essential for long-term impact.
- Networking and Representation: Organizations lack opportunities to present their work and engage with the broader space industry, which could unlock potential partnerships and resources.
By addressing these issues, the project sought to empower these organizations, enhance collaboration, and promote the broader benefits of space technology development for Greek society.
The project focused on organizing the 1st Conference of the New Generation of Space in Greece, a three-day event designed to empower, connect, and promote young organizations and groups active in the space technology ecosystem. The event consisted of a training workshop aimed at building the capacity of participating organizations, a round table where participants had the opportunity to share their visions and common goals and a networking conference between organizations and industry stakeholders, aiming to establish partnerships and build trust.
Despite its partial completion and the fact that the project''s overall impact could not be fully assessed due to the absence of the final report, we assume that it achieved some outcomes. The conference was implemented and as a result capacity building and networking opportunities for the participating organizations were envisaged. Primary beneficiaries were the representatives of 11 organizations from the space industry who participated in the event and gained knowledge and opportunities to strengthen their role in the sector.